Residents of a Bar Beach apartment building were forced to evacuate on Thursday afternoon after a significant fire broke out in a ground-floor unit.
Emergency response to Nickson Street blaze
The incident unfolded just after 4pm on January 8, 2026, after emergency services received multiple triple-zero calls reporting a fire at a property on Nickson Street. Fire and Rescue NSW responded with a substantial force, deploying six fire trucks and more than twenty firefighters to the scene.
Upon arrival, crews found a unit on the ground floor well alight. A spokesperson for Fire and Rescue NSW confirmed that the origin of the fire appeared to be the kitchen. Their immediate priority was ensuring the safety of all residents within the building.
Swift evacuation and firefighting efforts
Six people were successfully evacuated from the building as firefighters worked to contain the flames. It took crews approximately thirty minutes to bring the blaze under control and conduct a thorough search of the affected units to ensure no one was left inside and that the fire had not spread.
NSW Police and NSW Ambulance paramedics also attended the scene as a precaution. Fortunately, a spokesperson for NSW Ambulance confirmed that no one required medical treatment or transport to hospital following the evacuation.
Scene declared safe
Firefighting operations were completed by just after 5:30pm, with crews ensuring the area was secure before leaving. The quick and coordinated response from emergency services prevented any injuries and limited the damage to the one unit.
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of working smoke alarms and having a fire escape plan, particularly in multi-unit residential buildings.
